Activities for Kids

13 Free (or Really Cheap) Things to Do in Griffith Park

With hikes, zoos, museums, vistas, trains, playgrounds, ponies, golf, a carousel and lots more, Griffith Park provides endless (free!) entertainment for kids of all ages.

By Meghan Rose September 10, 2017

Fun fact: Griffith Park is over 5 times bigger than NY’s Central Park. With hikes, zoos, museums, beer (!), trains, playgrounds, ponies, golf, a carousel and lots more (all costing very little or nothing at all) it’s time to click through the slideshow and discover a baker’s dozen of the coolest places you just might not have visited in our gigantic urban forest.

The Best Views of the Hollywood Sign

Yes, you can (sometimes) hike closer to the sign, but since we’re all native Angelenos, we want to respect our neighbors in Beachwood Canyon, who are really, really sick of tourists mucking up their streets, trying to get to the sign. Our favorite hike to views of the sign starts by parking at the Observatory. From here (after a potty break, and a chance to see some spectacular city views, as well) you can look for signs that lead you up the Mt. Hollywood Hiking Trail. Wandering through the Berlin Forest (LA’s sister city) and Dante’s View (there’s a water fountain here), you can wander up to the top of Mt. Hollywood. From the lookout at the tippy top, you have an unparalleled view of the sign. If your kiddos legs are too tired for the meandering 3 mile loop, stop partway up where there’s a bench that faces the sign. That’s good enough until they’re older!

Find It: 2800 East Observatory Rd.

photo: Marco Verch via Flickr